Period-Signed 1948 Bowman Ernie Calverley Rookie #1 PSA EX 5, PSA/DNA Auto 7 - Pop One, None Higher - From the Golden Age Coll...

Description

Period-Signed 1948 Bowman Ernie Calverley Rookie #1 PSA EX 5, PSA/DNA Auto 7 - Pop One, None Higher - From the Golden Age Collection. Ernie Calverley, famous for his long-range game-winning shot in the 1946 NIT and his leadership as a professional point guard, was one of the most skilled passers of the NBA's earliest years. Featured on card #1 in the 1948 Bowman set, Calverley holds a special place in basketball card history - leading off the first-ever nationally issued NBA set. His rookie card is especially condition-sensitive due to its placement at the front of the set, making well-preserved examples particularly desirable.

This card is period-signed in blue ballpoint pen, offering a rare in-era autograph that enhances both the historical and personal value of this early basketball collectible. As a signed card from the very first position in the landmark 1948 Bowman checklist, it represents a unique intersection of hobby significance and NBA legacy. Graded PSA EX 5 with a certified PSA/DNA Auto 7. One of one graded EX with none higher.

More Information: The Golden Age Collection
Heritage Auctions is honored to introduce to the sports collectibles marketplace one of the finest collections of vintage signed sports cards ever assembled. This remarkable collection was meticulously cultivated by a single passionate visionary over many decades, with nearly every piece bearing a signature that matches the vintage of its medium. At the core of the collection is a breathtaking run of signed cards spanning several years from the late 1940s through the mid-1950s, widely regarded as the golden age of post-war sports cards. It includes complete or near-complete signed sets from many of the most coveted baseball issues of the period, including 1948-55 Bowman and 1952–1955 Topps runs. Also included are 1948 Bowman Basketball and seldom seen autographed football sets, such as 1948-55 Bowman, 1948 Leaf, and 1950s Topps sets. Each set is a masterclass in curation. In addition to iconic stars and Hall of Famers, there are countless cards bearing period signatures that are incredibly tough to find, either due to the short lives of the players or the relative obscurity of their careers. For set collectors and autograph purists alike, this grouping represents an unfathomable opportunity.

The collection's strength lies in its harmony of condition, completeness, and character, which is an homage to the pure intentions of its creator. With impeccable provenance and a once-in-a-generation level of aesthetic quality, this collection is a celebration of the intersection of sport, history and the spirit of collecting, offering pieces that transcend the hobby and enter the realm of legacy.


View Certification and Population Details from PSA